A recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine has shed new light on the genetic underpinnings of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that it may have a stronger inherited component than previously known. The study highlights the role of a gene linked to the common form of dementia, known as apolipoprotein E (APOE), in increasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Traditionally, Alzheimer’s has been categorized into familial and sporadic forms, with familial cases being rare and caused by mutations in specific genes. However, the new research suggests that a significant portion of Alzheimer’s cases, approximately 1 in 6, may be considered inherited due to variations in the APOE gene.
